For most of our study, we have stayed very close to the text in Matthew. In this look at Jesus on the cross, Dale Larson examined some of the very interesting related material that can be found in the other gospels.
 

Jesus words from the cross had great meaning and teaching in them. Here are some of His last statements.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

This statement gets right to the heart of why Jesus died for us on the cross. He was going to die for our sins, and was asking God to forgive the very people who were crucifying him.

Another statement Christ made on the cross was to one of the thieves crucified beside him. "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

The thief beside Jesus asked him, when he got to the kingdom, to remember him. In other words, the thief was believing in what Christ was dying for, and he was going be able to enter the kingdom of heaven, even though he had committed terrible crimes.

Christ did not forget his family when he made the following statement. "Dear woman, here is your son,” he said to his mother. And to the disciple John he said, "Here is your mother." (John19:26,27)

What Jesus meant by this statement was that he was asking John to take care of his mother. Even though Christ was going through this awful death, he did not forget his family. And he is teaching us that, no matter what, we should remember our family.

One of the most remembered words from Christ on the cross were, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34)

I always thought this was the human side of  Jesus speaking out, but after more study, I think Jesus was agonizing about the spiritual separation from God. But this is what had to be done, so we would not be separated from God.

Christ also made this statement, "I am thirsty." (John 19:28)

The soldiers drank wine vinegar while waiting for the crucified to die. So they soaked a sponge with it, put it on a stick, and put it up to the Lord’s lips. When Christ drank it, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. The word finished also means paid in full. This means our sins have been forgiven, and we can escape the penalty that comes with sin. This was the final sacrifice.

As you read in the Bible these final words of Christ, you can see him teaching until the very end.